Search over 94 British Shorthair cats across Australia
The British Shorthair is an affectionate, relaxed, and loyal cat. It requires very little care, making it a delightful companion for single people and the elderly.
This cat is an ambivert – sometimes, it seeks your company, while at other times, it craves solitude. British Shorthairs love to play, whether with its owner or by itself. Thus, both introverts and extroverts will enjoy a British Shorthair if they are seeking a loyal companion.
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The British Shorthair is an affectionate, relaxed, and loyal cat. It requires very little care, making it a delightful companion for single people and the elderly.
This cat is an ambivert – sometimes, it seeks your company, while at other times, it craves solitude. British Shorthairs love to play, whether with its owner or by itself. Thus, both introverts and extroverts will enjoy a British Shorthair if they are seeking a loyal companion.
Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Exercise
Size Range
Questions To Ask A Breeder
- Are you are registered breeder?
- Can we meet in person?
- Have they been socialised?
The Ultimate British Shorthair Guide
About British Shorthair
The British Shorthair cat is aptly named as it originates in Great Britain and has a short coat. It ranks among the oldest recognised cat breeds worldwide.
Lifespan
12 to 20 years
Weight
Males: 5 to 9 kilograms Females: 3 to 6 kilograms
Height
30 to 35 cm
Grooming
Moderate-to-high grooming needs.
Origins
In the late 1800s, a professional cat breeder named Harrison Weir developed the British Shorthair breed by blending various felines. Through careful breeding, he transformed this cat into a pedigreed breed, which gained immense popularity in Britain.
During World War I, many British Shorthairs perished. Nonetheless, they remain a top-ranked breed in Britain. Today, they are recognised by cat registries worldwide.
Key Characteristics Of British Shorthairs
Are British Shorthairs Family-Friendly?
With their easygoing and mellow nature, British Shorthairs make excellent family pets. They tend to bond well with both humans and other animals, especially when socialised early, and are tolerant of children.
Common Health Issues & Considerations
British Shorthairs may suffer from:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hyperthyroidism
Kidney issues
Cystitis
Heart disease
Nature / Temperament
Intelligent, gentle, playful, affectionate, and loyal
Suitable Environment
This breed isn’t picky about its living conditions as long as it receives interaction. However, keeping your cat indoors is recommended to shield it from diseases and danger.
Other Considerations
Like other felines, this breed enjoys having a cat tower to play, sleep, and exercise on.
Support your cat’s back when picking it up, as improper handling can cause discomfort.
This cat is medium to large sized when fully grown, so purchasing at least two oversized litter boxes is recommended.
How can I take good care of my British Shorthair?
Nutrition
It is advised to feed your British Shorthair premium quality cat food that is high in protein and low in empty calories, fat, and vegetable ingredients. Focus wholly on giving it meats and avoid feeding it dairy or grains. Wet cat food is generally preferred over dry food as it helps give much needed fluids, something that cats often don’t get enough of.
Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl or water fountain separate from its food.
Despite its fairly large size and muscular build, this breed’s nutrition must be carefully controlled. This is because it is prone to overeating and becoming overweight. It is recommended to measure its food portions carefully and keep an eye on its eating habits.
Grooming
With its short and smooth coat, the British Shorthair requires weekly grooming. However, it’s also important to brush or comb its coat daily during shedding season.
This cat excels at self-cleaning, so baths are rarely necessary. Weekly nail trimming is recommended, and daily teeth brushing helps prevent periodontal disease.
Recommended Grooming Tips
Remove eye discharge by wiping the corners of your British Shorthair’s eyes with a soft, damp cloth.
Regularly check your cat’s ears for wax buildup or mites. Remove dirt using a soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with half warm water and half cider vinegar.
Avoid using cotton swabs to prevent damaging the ear interiors.
Cats can be fussy about bathroom hygiene, so ensure your cat’s litter box is always pristine.
Exercise
British Shorthair kittens are quite energetic, but they mellow out by 12 months old. A great way to exercise a kitten is to keep it entertained with various toys.
Older cats remain playful but less active. Sometimes, they nap all day; other times, they like to perch on windows or climb structures like cat trees.
These felines are prone to weight gain, so daily exercise is crucial. Provide your British Shorthair with various toys to play with or a cat post, and let it play with balls, lasers, fishing wands, and other interactive toys.
Training
The British Shorthair is intelligent and quick to learn, making it highly trainable compared to other cat breeds. It can follow instructions well, so teaching new skills like using a litter box, begging for treats, and eating on its own is easy. You can opt to use a clicker for training. This breed’s independence can appear mischievous, but with patience and positive reinforcement, you can train and socialise this breed quite well.
This is basic information and should not be used to make adoption or purchasing decisions. Consult an expert for detailed breed care and requirements.
Most Asked British Shorthair Questions
This cat is medium to large in size and quite big-boned. It has strong jaws, a well-developed muzzle, a muscular neck, a broad chest, and thick legs. Eye colours are wide-ranging, including copper, blue, and gold.
Its coat is thick and becomes even thicker in the winter. It comes in a variety of colours such as brown, silver, black, blue, white, red, and cream. Patterns range from solid to shaded, and from bi-colour to tri-colour.
Compared with other felines, the British Shorthair is a moderate shedder. It sometimes, however, experiences shedding during the spring and fall seasons.
To ensure you bring home a healthy cat, it is recommended to buy from a responsible breeder. A British Shorthair for sale typically costs between AUD $2,000 and $5,000.
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